MotoGP: Jerez's place on 2013 calendar confirmed

  • Published
The winner of the last Argentina Grand Prix, Kenny Roberts Junior

MotoGP will head to Jerez next season after an agreement was reached for the Spanish race to remain on the calendar.

The sport's commercial rights holder Dorna cut a deal with the local government to keep the race in MotoGP until 2015.

"It is one of the key stops on the MotoGP calendar with an atmosphere bar none that attracts huge crowds," Dorna chief executive Carmelo Ezpeleta said.

Meanwhile, the German Grand Prix has been moved from 7 to 14 July.

The only new track to feature in next year's championship will be the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

It was confirmed last month that MotoGP will not return to Argentina until 2014 after next season's planned race was cancelled.

The decision came after a travel warning was not withdrawn by the Spanish government in time to meet the proposed 2013 calendar deadline.

Although the ban was lifted two days later on 20 November, rights holders Dorna said it came too late.

A three-year contract had been signed last year to race at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit from 2013.

Media caption,

MotoGP riders try new 2013 bikes

The problem arose after Spanish authorities advised against making the trip to the South American country for any drivers or teams sponsored by oil and gas company Repsol.

As this warning remained in place by 18 November - the deadline for the proposed 2013 MotoGP calendar to be presented to the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) - the event had to be postponed.

A twist came two days later when the Spanish government withdrew their directive, but a statement released by Dorna blocked any hope of the race returning in 2013 for the first time since the top 500cc race was won by American Kenny Roberts Jr in 1999.

Revised provisional 2013 MotoGP calendar:

Round 1: 7 April, Qatar

Round 2: 21 April, Austin (USA)

Round 3: 5 May, Jerez (Spain)

Round 4: 19 May, Le Mans (France)

Round 5: 2 June, Mugello (Italy)

Round 6: 16 June, Catalunya (Spain)

Round 7: 29 June, Assen (Netherlands)

Round 8: 14 July, Sachsenring (Germany)

Round 9: 21 July, Laguna Seca (USA)

Round 10: 18 August, Indianapolis (USA)

Round 11: 25 August, Brno (Czech Republic)

Round 12: 1 September, Silverstone (UK)

Round 13: 15 September, Misano (Italy)

Round 14: 29 September, Aragon (Spain)

Round 15: 13 October, Sepang (Malaysia)

Round 16: 20 October, Phillip Island (Australia)

Round 17: 27 October, Motegi (Japan)

Round 18: 10 November, Valencia (Spain)

Related internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.